Hydrangea plant named ‘BC7.14’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Hydrangea macrophylla  (Thunb.) named ‘BC7.14’ originated as a controlled cross between varieties. The cultivar ‘BC7.14’ can be blue or red depending on the acidity of the soil and the presence of aluminum. The variety ‘BC7.14’ has relatively compact, attractive inflorescences with relatively small sepalous florets, distinct sepal pigmentation and good commercial characteristics. When grown in the presence of aluminum, the upperside of the sepals is primarily R.H.S. 94 A (violet-blue group) and 86 B (violet group), the underside of the sepals is R.H.S. 93 D (violet-blue group) and 86 C violet group).

Botanical classification: Hydrangea macrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.14’.

Variety denomination: ‘BC7.14’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of theSaxifragaceae family. The botanical name of the plant is Hydrangeamacrophylla (Thunb.) ‘BC7.14’.

The new cultivar originated as a seedling from a controlled crossbetween a commercial variety known as ‘Venedig’ to the inventor whichmay be the subject of U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 and registered as‘Venice Raven’. ‘Venedig’ was the seed parent and the unpatented variety‘LK49’ was the pollen parent. ‘LK49’ is relatively compact plant withwiry stems, relatively small leaves, relatively small sepalous florets,and inflorescences that are resistant to being damaged by conditions incommercial coolers.

The variety ‘BC7.14’ has compact, attractive inflorescences withrelatively small sepalous florets, attractive sepal pigmentation andgood commercial characteristics. The variety ‘BC7.14’ has pigmentedsepals, and is preferably grown in soil conditions treated with aluminumto produce blue pigmentation. The color of the sepals changes as theplant ages. Below is a table comparing the new variety to similarvarieties.

TABLE 1 Commerical Currently variety patent U.S. ‘Venedig’ Pending PlantPat. which may Variety No. 18,593 be U.S. Plant New Variety ‘BC6.1’‘True Pat. No. 10,928 ‘BC7.14’ 13/135,028 Blue’ ‘Venice Raven’ Leaf 8 cm× 13.5 12 cm wide × Unknown 11 cm wide × size cm 15 cm long 15.5 cmlong- source U.S. Plant Pat. No. 10,928 Plant 14″ in 6″ pot. 15″ in 6″pot. Unknown 12″ in 6″ pot- height observed controls grown alongside newvariety. Stem Strong Stems are Strong Strong- strength strong butobserved benefit from controls grown being staked alongside new varietySepal Upper side of Upper side of Both sides Upper side of Pigmen-sepals is R.H.S. sepals is R.H.S. of sepalsa sepals is R.H.S. tation 94A (violet- 86 A (violet are R.H.S. 84 A (violet blue group) to group);Under 100 D group). Under 86 B (violet side of sepals is (blue side ofsepals is group); Under R.H.S. 88 D group). R.H.S. 85 A side of sepalsis (violet group) (violet group) R.H.S. 93 D observed (violet group)controls grown to 86 C (violet alongside new group). variety. Sepalous50 mm 60 mm to 70 50 mm to 70 mm- Floret mm 60 mm observed Size controlsgrown alongside new variety

The new cultivar ‘BC7.14’ has been successfully asexually reproducedunder controlled environmental conditions at a nursery in Half Moon Bay,Calif. under the direction of the inventor with its distinguishingcharacteristics remaining stable.

Asexual reproduction was first accomplished when vegetative cuttingswere taken from the initially selected plant. Examination of asexuallyreproduced, successive generations grown in Half Moon Bay, Calif. showthat the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for ‘BC7.14’remains firmly fixed through three generations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings consist of color photographs that show thetypical plant form, including the inflorescence, foliage, and sepals.

FIG. 1 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 2 is a view of the entire plant showing its form, growth habit,dark green foliage, inflorescence, and the color of its sepals.

FIG. 3 is a close-up view of the adaxial surface of a mature leaf.

FIG. 4 is a close-up view of the base of the stem.

FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the upperside of a panicle of the newvariety.

FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the center of a panicle of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE NEW PLANT

The plants shown in the figures are approximately 46 weeks old. Theplant started out as cuttings, taken from the stem of a grown plant. Thecuttings were placed in a pot and the soil was periodically treated withaluminum to produce blue pigmentation. The plant was pinched early topromote lateral branches.

‘BC7.14’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype may vary significantly with variations inenvironment such as temperature, light intensity and day length. Colordeterminations were made with The Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.)Colour Chart, in association with the Flower Council of Holland, locatedin Lieden.

THE PLANT

-   Origin: Controlled cross. The new cultivar originated as a seedling    from a controlled cross between the commercial variety known to the    inventor as ‘Venedig’ and which may be ‘Venice Raven’, U.S. Plant    Pat. No. 10,928, which was the seed parent and the unpatented    variety ‘LK49’ which was the pollen parent.-   Form: Upright, compact shrub. A typical plant with a mature    inflorescence that is ready for sale is approximately 14″ high and    has a diameter of 18″ when grown in a 6″ pot with appropriate soil    amendments.-   Growth: Upright, vigorous growth habit. Inflorescence is large. The    plant branches easily with shoots forming at the base of the plant.    Lateral branches are similar in appearance and form to the main    stems.-   Stems: Lenticels are present. Lenticels are R.H.S. 86 A (violet    group) and are 1 to 2 mm long. The surface of young stems is    glabrous. Stems become woody as they age. The color of typical young    stems and young lateral branches is R.H.S. 144 A (green group). The    older portions of the stems are R.H.S. 199 A (grey-brown group)    Younger portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter. Older    portions of the stems are 5 to 7 mm in diameter.-   Foliage: Abundant. Leaves are opposite on stem and lateral branches.    -   -   Shape of leaf.—Elliptic with acute base and apex. Margins            are serrate.        -   Texture.—Glabrous; veins dominate on the underside of the            leaf and are sunken on the upper leaf surface.        -   Color.—Mature leaves have an upper side that is R.H.S. 147 A            (yellow-green group), and an under side that is R.H.S. 138 B            (green group). Leaves are pinnately veined. The midvein and            veins branching off the midvein are large and prominent on            the underside of the leaves. Veins are R.H.S. 144 D            (yellow-green group). Leaves are as wide as 8 cm and 13.5 cm            long. Petioles are smooth and 2.0-2.5 cm long and 4 mm wide.            Petioles are R.H.S. 144 D (yellow-green group).

BUDS

-   Form: Globose with 4 to 5 connate, elliptic, smooth petals. Most    buds, whether they will mature into sepalous or non-sepalous    florets, have 4 petals. Buds in the center of the inflorescence are    non-sepalous. The majority of buds will develop into sepalous    florets. They are approximately 1 mm by 1 mm when very young. Buds    can be 3 mm in diameter and still unopened. Color of buds is R.H.S.    100 C (blue group).-   Aspect: Smooth.-   Arrangement: Borne on branched panicles.

INFLORESCENCE

-   Form: Paniculate. Terminal. As many as 100 individual flowers    (florets) per inflorescence. Both sepalous florets and non-sepalous    florets borne on same panicle. Flowers do not produce a fragrance.    The peduncle for the inflorescence is strong and upright. Very few    non-sepalous florets developing early on cymes that are later hidden    by sepalous florets. Florets, both sepalous and non-sepalous, have    anthers and style. Inflorescences are long-lasting, up to six weeks.-   Size of inflorescence: Compact and globose. Individual inflorescence    size is dependent on the number of florets. A typical inflorescence    can grow as large as 6″ in diameter, and 4″ high.-   Shape: Clusters of numerous small florets; sepalous florets overlap    one another. Sepals are persistent.-   Appearance: Showy.

FLORETS

-   General: The non-sepalous florets at the center of the inflorescence    open first. Sepalous and non-sepalous florets are perfect and    complete.    -   -   Corolla.—Generally, for both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets there are 4 petals which fall off as flower matures.            Petals are typically 4 mm long and 3 mm wide. Pedicel length            for non-sepalous florets averages 4 mm. Pedicel length of            sepalous florets is approximately 20 mm in length for plants            of this age. Pedicels of both sepalous and non-sepalous            florets continue to elongate as the inflorescence ages.            Pedicel of both sepalous and non-sepalous florets are            primarily 97 A (violet-blue group) and 95 C (violet-purple            group).-   Stamens: 8 stamens. Pollen is R.H.S. 158 C (yellow-white group).    Plant produces abundant pollen. Filament is approximately 3 mm long.    Filament is R.H.S. 155 C (white group). Anther is 1 mm long and is    regular and basally attached.-   Stigma: Two to three style each, although most florets have two    style. Each style has one stigma. Style is typically 1 mm long.    Style is R.H.S. 155 D (white group). Stigma is R.H.S. 155 D (white    group).-   Ovary: Ovary is partially inferior.-   Sepalous florets:    -   -   General.—Veins dominate on the underside of the sepals.        -   Number of sepals.—4 or 5 sepals per floret, usually 4.        -   Aspect of sepals.—Smooth and glaucescent.        -   Shape of sepals.—Reniform with acuminate apex. Edges are            entire, but with some crenation.        -   Size of sepals.—As the florets mature, the sepals enlarge            and overlap each other more and more, until, often, there is            no space between the sepals when the petals of the florets            open. Sepals at maturity are typically 3.0 cm long and 4.0            cm wide. Flowers are typically 5 cm in diameter. The upper            sides of the sepals are primarily R.H.S. 94 A (violet-blue            group) and 86 B (violet group) and the under sides are            primarily R.H.S. 93 D (violet-blue group) and R.H.S. 86 C            (violet group). Blue pigmentation develops at the tips of            the sepals and travels inward towards the base of the            sepals.-   Fruit: None.-   Disease and pest resistance: Unknown.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct Hydrangea macrophylla plant named‘BC7.14’ substantially as herein shown and described.